Fort Klamath

Fort Klamath (1863-1890) - Established by two companies of soldiers under Maj. Charles S Drew, 1st Oregon Volunteer Cavalry, on 5 September 1863 during the U.S. Civil War. Fort Klamath was an important post during Modoc, Snake and Piute wars. The majority of troops were removed in 1889 and the fort was finally left to a caretaker on 23 Jun 1890.

Fort Klamath Barracks

Fort Klamath Fort Plan

History of Fort Klamath

Built as a two company cavalry fort by Capt. William Kelley and Company C of the 1st Oregon Volunteer Cavalry. It was located near strategic travel routes to California and Idaho and the new Oregon Central Military Road. The fort's main purpose was to oversee the Indian populations of the local area and to protect settlers and travelers. Originally built by Oregon volunteer troops it was garrisoned by Federal troops after the U.S. Civil War.

The site chosen for the fort was ideal in that ample supplies of wood, grass and water were readily available. A rudimentary sawmill was hauled in and the construction of the fort was begun by Company C and a civilian contractor, David Linn. The first set of structures included barracks for two companies, four officers quarters, an adjutant's office, a guardhouse, an arsenal, a hospital, a bakery , storehouses for the quartermaster and two well built stables for the horses. The fort was of an open plan and not stockaded. The fort itself occupied about 1000 acres and a hay reserve occupied another 3000 acres.

The post was officially closed 9 Aug 1889 and the garrison departed that day leaving behind a caretaker detachment led by Lt. William C McCammon, 14th U.S. Infantry and nine enlisted men. This detachment endured a brutal winter that saw buildings collapse under the weight of snow and departed Fort Klamath on 23 Jun 1890 leaving agent John F Loosley in possession.

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Location: Klamath County, Oregon along hwy 62 at a point about a mile southeast of the present community of Klamath Falls. Maps & Images Lat: 42.692341 Long: -121.972232 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 4,175'

Sources:

• Hart, Herbert M., Tour Guide to Old Western Forts, Pruett Publishing Co., Boulder CO, 1980, ISBN 0-87108-568-2, page 135
• Oregon Military History, Forts-Camps-Roads
• McArthur, Lewis A. & McArthur, Lewis L., Oregon Geographic Names, Oregon Historical Society Press; 7 edition (December 2003), 1073 pages, ISBN 0875952771, ISBN 978-0875952772, page 370
• Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 665-666
• Stone, Buena Cobb, Old Fort Klamath: A Oregon Frontier Post 1863-1890, Webb Research Group, 1990, ISBN 0-936738-50-2

Links:

• Wikipedia Article
• National Register of Historic Places added 1971 Site - #71000680
• A History of Fort Klamath
• Fort Klamath Museum

Visited: 29 Jun 2008

Picture Gallery

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  Roadside Marker for Fort Klamath
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  Fort Klamath Sign
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  Fort Klamath Rebuilt Guardhouse
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  Fort Klamath Indian Graves
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  Fort Klamath County Park Dedication
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  Raising the Flag at Fort Klamath
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  Fort Klamath Museum Interior